“We have got a number of top-class players here and the star of this team will always be the team, so I don’t think they were climbing on the bins just to see him.”

Rodgers has told Balotelli to behave and is busy trying to protect his guiding principle that the team is the star. He said: “This isn’t the Mario Balotelli Show, I’ll tell you that now. This will be about him being part of the team and performing like everyone else.”

After reading the endless headlines Balotelli generated in two-and a half years at Manchester City, Rodgers is ­determined there will be no repeat at Liverpool.

The Italy striker prepares to make his debut at Tottenham tomorrow and Rodgers said: “It will be a different story here. Conditions are different at ­Liverpool. You have to behave yourself in a certain way. Simple.

Rodgers wants Balotelli to ­concentrate on his football and the club have already found him a new home on Merseyside to help him settle. He has been pleased with his performance in training and will decide today what part he will play at White Hart Lane.

“We have already got somewhere here for him, he’s sorted,” said Rodgers. “That’s key for us. He’s a Liverpool player, not a Manchester player, so he will be here.

“I have spoken at length to Mario since he has been here. He is definitely a mature boy. He is very, very bright.

“He now feels that it is time to show the type of player he is. Everyone knows his quality and we have seen it this week in training.

“We have seen the sheer power and pace and the touch that he has. He wants to score goals and he wants to do it consistently. That is why we are making sure we focus on his football.”